Today, the Turkmen capital hosted a video conference on development of the country’s tourism sector, which was organized as part of the World Expo 2020 held in Dubai.

The online platform brought together representatives of government agencies, business people, heads of leading tourist enterprises and experts in this field, media representatives.

The main goal of the forum, organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country, is to establish and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and systematic dialogue in the field of tourism, popularize and promote the tourist potential in Turkmenistan.

As part of the conference a video was shown about the tourism opportunities of our state, where slides were demonstrated introducing to the historical and cultural sights of our country included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, architectural monuments of our time, and the intangible cultural heritage of the people.

Speakers for the Turkmen part highlighted that our Homeland is increasing its potential in the field of tourism for foreign citizens from every year. This is evidenced by the modern infrastructure of the tourist industry created in the country.

The meeting participants were given the opportunity to get comprehensive information about tourist destinations at unique historical, cultural and natural monuments located throughout Turkmenistan.

As was emphasized, the high prestige of the independent neutral Turkmen state among the world community is due not only to its economic and peacekeeping potential, but also to the historical and cultural values of our people. Such resources as rich flora and fauna, unique national heritage, a great number of archaeological sites allowed our Homeland to take its deserved position in the global tourist industry.

Travelers are especially interested in the historical monuments of Ancient Merv, Nisa and Kunyaurgench, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the Karakum expanses, the beauty of the Koytendag.

It was pointed out that the epic “Gorogly”, included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the traditions and customs of celebrating the Novruz Bayram and the “Kushtdepdi” singing and dancing art are of great importance for studying and popularizing the invaluable heritage of our people. Along with this, it was emphasized that shaping a modern tourist infrastructure is currently one of the key factors for stepping up international cooperation, attracting investments in the country and comprehensively modernizing the national economy.

The forum also considered issues related to further development of the tourist industry of Turkmenistan, through which the Great Silk Road ran in ancient times.

There are huge opportunities for carrying out projects in the field of ecological tourism. In this regard, the uniqueness of the Kopetdag foothills, the flora and fauna of the Karakum, the Amudarya banks, the Koytendag, and the subtropical regions of the southwestern part of our country was highlighted. Broad prospects are also opening up on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, where the Avaza National Tourist Zone has been forming and is successfully operating. The southern limits of the Kopetdag are also very attractive. This is the land of healing and health-improving natural sanatoria such as “Archman”, “Mollakara”, “Yylysuv” and others.

Foreign participants who joined via a digital communication system shared their vision of the prospects for development of cultural tourism in Turkmenistan. It applies to the famous Akhalteke horses, the faithful Alabai dogs, musical instruments and amazing carpets.

The tourist attraction of the city of Ashgabat, the pearl of Asia, was also underscored.

Thus, during the video conference, various approaches to development of the tourist industry were discussed, and the huge potential of historical, cultural, ecological, and health tourism in our country was highlighted.